Foster The People Are Convinced They Know The ‘Truth’ About Jeffrey Epstein’s Death

Foster The People, the indie trio best known for 2010 hit ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, are throwing their weight behind conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide. On Twitter, they’re breaking down why they believe he’s still alive, while defending their right to speak up about what they consider an obvious government cover up.

— This article involves discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. —

The band are far from the only people who are suspicious of Epstein’s death; almost as soon as it was reported he had been found dead on Saturday 9 August in a jail cell — where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges — #EpsteinSuicideCoverUp and #EpsteinBodyDouble trended on Twitter.

Enter Foster The People, who joined the fray on Sunday by tweeting that circulating photos of Epstein’s body are “obviously not him”, and that they’re guessing he’s “on a private plane to somewhere in the Middle East getting prepped for plastic surgery right now”.

have you seen photos of the body? it’s obviously not him. my guess is, epstein’s on a private plane to somewhere in the middle east getting prepped for plastic surgery right now #EpsteinBodyDouble

This tweet, unexpectedly, did the rounds. It somehow captured the moment — even that indie-band best known for a 2011 smash hit covertly about a school shooting is so bewildered that they’re throwing out theories to their near-million followers.

thank you for your theory on the epstein body double, indie pop band foster the people, best known for the 2011 hit “pumped up kicks” https://t.co/UPaA7KQxta

The day later, the band — the account seemingly run by frontman Mark Foster — doubled-down, comparing images of Epstein alive and dead, and calling out news outlets who made fun of his original tweet.

i find it strange that i’ve been chastised by reporters from NBC and other news outlets for my opinion. everything you guys have been reporting has been conjecture. if you want to be considered a respected authority of truth, do a better job. #EpsteinBodyDoublepic.twitter.com/3TWkAYYuRn

Foster continued by defending his right to tweet, saying it was his job as an artist to speak up about “social issues, cover-ups, and justice”.

“More than ever artists need to speak up, because they’re not getting paid by sponsors or told how to spin a story by their bosses,” he wrote. “Rupert Murdoch isn’t controlling their narrative. support your artists. support real journalism. fact check everything. do your own research.”

Foster has continued today, though signed off by saying he “is not sorry for blowing up your time line with a non-music related topic”. “‘Staying in your lane’ doesn’t apply to injustice on this scale,” he wrote. “That’s all. i’m gonna go back to writing escapist songs so i don’t continue to wallow in the pure evil of this. it’s too dark.”

Read Foster The People’s full thread below.

have you seen photos of the body? it’s obviously not him. my guess is, epstein’s on a private plane to somewhere in the middle east getting prepped for plastic surgery right now #EpsteinBodyDouble

i find it strange that i’ve been chastised by reporters from NBC and other news outlets for my opinion. everything you guys have been reporting has been conjecture. if you want to be considered a respected authority of truth, do a better job. #EpsteinBodyDoublepic.twitter.com/3TWkAYYuRn

and to anyone else who considers it “off brand” for an artist to talk about social issues, cover-ups, and justice.. A. you need a history lesson B. you’re scared of what i’m saying C. my voice is my brand, whether it’s used to speak or sing

the problem with a case like this, is that the public will forget about in a week. media will change headlines to another story and stop covering it. they already have. and it will be easily swept under the rug. just like the stephen paddock mass shooting.

there is no QUESTION the government is behind the #EpsteinSuicideCoverUp . Research Attorney General Bill Barr and his father’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Barr helped broker the west palm beach “deal” that kept Epstein away from a life sentence in federal prison 🤮

more than ever artists need to speak up, because they’re not getting paid by sponsors or told how to spin a story by their bosses. rupert murdoch isn’t controlling their narrative. support your artists. support real journalism. fact check everything. do your own research.

it’s terrifying how brazen our government has become with their actions to mislead the public and make unwanted stories disappear. i guess it doesn’t surprise me considering their response to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Epstein held the key to bring it down. #EpsteinCoverUp

Epstein, was taken off suicide watch. his cell mate was transferred the day before his “death”. and the guards who were supposed to check on him every 30 mins, left him alone for 24 hours in his cell. then we get “photographic evidence” that he’s dead. AND IT’S CLEARLY NOT HIM.

epstein must have been a high ranking spy with diplomatic immunity to be able to slip through the cracks for so long. i heard about the “lolita express” in the early 2000’s. that tells you it was public knowledge he was a sex trafficker and operated with impunity. #EpsteinCoverUp

that’s it. i’m not sorry for blowing up your time line with a non-music related topic. “staying in your lane” doesn’t apply to injustice on this scale. that’s all. i’m gonna go back to writing escapist songs so i don’t continue to wallow in the pure evil of this. it’s too dark.